Once Upon A Time: Deal With The Devil, Part Twelve

By Rebekkalee Mouri-Hibiki

Emma was still in shock as she stared at Kathryn, who seemed bewildered and confused as well. She was filthy, disheveled and looked dehydrated. " Kathryn... " Emma couldn't believe she could even speak.

" Where am I? " Kathryn was looking around, her eyes darting every direction as she tried to get her bearings.

" Granny's back parking lot, " Emma said.

" How did I get here? " Kathryn blinked.

" I don't know, " Emma said. " Where have you been? "

Kathryn moved to sit up, " I... I... don't remember. All I see when I try to think about it is that it was really dark. "

" Stay down, " Emma gently urged her. " We don't know... "

" Hey, " August said from behind Emma, cutting her off. " I called the ambulance. They said they'll be here in a few minutes. "

Emma looked at him, " Okay. "

" You want me to help you get her somewhere? " August asked.

" I don't want to move her, " Emma said. " In case she's hurt. "

" Right. Sorry, " August said. " I'm going to go back to Ruby. She's still freaking out. I think I'll take her inside and away from this. "

Emma nodded, " Okay. I'll stay here with her. "

August smirked, " I think you might need to make a few phone calls yourself. "

Emma blinked then scrambled for her cell phone, " Oh damn... you're right. "

" What happened? Why's Ruby freaking out? " Kathryn propped herself up on her elbows. She frowned, " Why does my shoulder hurt? "

" Which one? " Emma asked as she dialed the number for the courthouse with trembling fingers.

" My right one, " Kathryn said. " I feel like I got punched in it. "

" I don't know, " Emma said as she switched the phone over to speaker. " Maybe you fell and hit it. "

The line rang three times before a gruff sounding man answered, " Storybrooke courthouse. "

" This is Sheriff Swan. Where's Miss Blanchard? "

" They're putting her in holding cell right now, " The man said. " Her trial starts at one pm. "

" I don't think it will, " Emma looked at Kathryn. " There's been a major development in the case and I'm going to come get her. "

" Oh? What kind of development? " The man asked.

Emma looked at Kathryn again, still unsure if her eyes were fooling her. She took a deep breath, " Kathryn Nolan is alive. "

" I have to call the DA, " The man said.

" Hurry, " Emma said and hung up.

Kathryn blinked, " Alive? Did people think I was... dead? "

Emma nodded as snapped a quick picture of Kathryn. She saved it then started to dial Mr. Gold's number, " Yeah but you're not. That's all that matters now. "

Mr. Gold sat at his worktable, getting the paperwork he wouldn't really need together. The trial was supposed to start that afternoon but he knew it wouldn't. He had seen to that. All there was left to do now was wait.

It would be a rude awakening for Kathryn but would have the effect he desired. With her alive, Mary-Margret's freedom was assured. He smiled to himself, imagining Regina's face when she found out her plan had fallen apart. He was quite certain it would be quite entertaining.

As he snapped his briefcase shut, the phone next to him rang. He let it ring a few times before he picked up the receiver, " Mr. Gold's pawn shop. "

" Gold, " Emma said quickly. " You need to get over here to Granny's. "

" What for? " Mr. Gold tried to sound clueless. " Are you treating me to breakfast? "

" No, " Emma said sharply. " You have to see this. "

Mr. Gold furrowed his brow though he knew what she was going to say, " See what? "

" Kathryn is alive, " Emma said breathlessly.

Mr. Gold paused then said, " What? "

" She's alive, " Emma repeated.

" Oh my. Have you called the DA? " Mr. Gold stood up.

" I called the courthouse, " Emma said. " They're calling him for me and I told them I was going to bring Mary-Margret back to the jail. "

" I see. I will be there in a few minutes, " Mr. Gold said then hung up. He grabbed his cane and walked out to the shop. He went to the door, opening it. He paused at the sound of sirens, watching as an ambulance passed by.

He smiled to himself again as he stepped out to the sidewalk, pulling the door closed behind him. He took a moment to lock it before heading to Granny's. As he approached, he found there was an assemblage of curious onlookers gathering. He approached the crowd, people moving aside when they saw him.

He reached the end of the alley that led to back parking lot, a length of yellow crime scene tape providing a flimsy barrier between the crowd and where Emma was standing. She was watching as the paramedics checked Kathryn over. He pushed the tape up, Emma looking over as he did. She motioned for him to come closer, her eyes still wide with shock.

He went to her then glanced towards Kathryn, " Well, well, well. Would you look at this. "

" I have been looking at it, " Emma said. She turned to him, " Can you believe it? "

Mr. Gold sighed, " It IS quite an interesting development. "

Emma moved closer. " How can she be here? That heart matched her DNA one-hundred percent, " She said quietly so only he could hear.

" I saw the results, my dear. I know it did, " Mr. Gold whispered back. " Perhaps something happened between the time you had it and the lab. "

Emma blinked, " But how? I was the only person to touch it and the comparison sample before it was sent off. "

" Once it was out of your control, anything could have happened, " Mr. Gold offered. " No one is immune to mistakes... not even the lab. "

Emma frowned then sighed, " I guess you're right. "

" There's no guessing, " Mr. Gold motioned to Kathryn. " There was obviously some kind of mix up. Perhaps the comparison sample got tested twice. It has happened before. "

" Maybe I labeled something wrong... " Emma started.

" And maybe the mix up occurred at the lab, like I said. Don't fret over it now, " Mr. Gold said, patting her on the shoulder. " It will all be alright. "

The paramedics moved around, getting ready to lift Kathryn onto the gurney. Mr. Gold looked towards her but she made no expression that let him know she remembered anything from the night before. He knew she wouldn't though. He had picked a sedative that would cause memory loss.

" It looks like they're ready to take her, " He glanced at Emma.

" Yeah, " Emma nodded. " She'll need to stay in the hospital and get completely checked over. She's horribly disoriented and dehydrated from what I can tell. "

" Are you going to question her at the hospital? " Mr. Gold asked as the paramedics secured Kathryn to the gurney. A moment later, they lifted her in and shut the doors.

Emma frowned, " As soon as I can. "

There was a commotion in the crowd behind them, Mr. Gold and Emma turning in time to see Regina duck under the tape. " What's going on here? " She said, confusion evident on her face.

Emma took a step towards Regina, " Your plot failed. Kathryn's alive, " Emma's tone was low and even.

Regina's mouth dropped open and she was speechless. Her eyes darted to Mr. Gold then back to Emma. " But how? Her heart... it was cut out... by Miss Blanchard. "

" Well obviously not, " Emma replied.

" I want to see her for myself, " Regina tried to walk to the ambulance but Emma put her arm out and stopped her. Regina gave her a venomous glare, " Don't touch me. "

" You can see her once Doctor Whale had given her a through exam, " Emma said then frowned. "And I have spoke to her first. "

The ambulance's air brakes released, the vehicle lurching forward before it moved slowly out of the parking lot. Regina watched it until it disappeared and the sound of the sirens faded into the distance. Once it was gone, she gave Mr. Gold a sideways look that let him know she wasn't finished with him yet. He gave her a smart-ass smirk then looked at Emma, " Come, Sheriff Swan. We need to retrieve Miss Blanchard from the courthouse. "

Robin stood in line, shoulder to shoulder, with the twenty men he was to compete against. Most of them he recognized from the tavern he had met John Little in. The man to his right was unfamiliar to him but not so to the others. There had been whispers that the man was Rothwell's best shooters and quite good.

~ He may be good but I am better, ~ Robin thought to himself. He looked at his bow, a stout one made of the finest yew. Rumplestiltskin had insisted he use it for Robin's own personal bow would be recognized immediately. He then looked at the first set of targets, gauging their distance as he waited for the game to begin.

" All men ready? " called the director of shooting, a portly man who stood to the left side of the contest field. He was dressed in finery, was short and looked like he enjoy a little bit of everything too much.

" Aye, " Robin and the others said in unison.

" Ready your bows, " The man called. All of the contestants lifted their bows, grabbing arrows from their quivers and nocking them. " Draw! "

The men drew back their arrows, aiming for the large target that sat one-hundred and fifty feet away. Robin used the eye that wasn't covered to aim, waiting for the signal to fire. When it came, he released the arrow. It flew straight and true, landing just outside of the center of the target.

Several arrows hit the target as well but ten did not, embedding themselves in the ground. The field captain skittered over, checking the marks on the disqualified arrows before going back to the director. He whispered something to him then the director called out the names of those who were out of the contest.

" Next round, " The director bellowed. " The remaining shooters will fire two arrows. Those closest to the center will advance to the third round, where you will shoot three. "

Robin watched as the target was moved another fifty feet back. He willed himself not to glance at the platform where Rothwell sat with Marion. He did not want to give himself away by even stealing one glance at such a close distance. Instead, he kept his eyes fixed on the center of the target.

" Next round, " The director of shooting bellowed. " Gentlemen, nock your arrows! "

It was like a perfectly choreographed dance as the men placed their arrows in their bows and drew. The director shouted for them to go and they released, seven arrows hitting the edges of the target, only three coming to rest in the middle of the target. " Second shot! " The director called and the results were roughly the same.

The seven men who did not do well left the line, leaving Robin standing with Rothwell's man and the other archer. He did not look at Rothwell's man but he could feel him staring holes into him. As the field captain set up for the final round, the man leaned in to examine him closer. Robin continued to breathe normally, giving the man a sideways glance.

After several moments of scrutiny, the man backed off. It seemed that he had not seen through Robin's disguise. Rumplestiltskin had changed his looks so drastically, not even Robin's mother would have believed it was him. After the target had been moved back another fifty feet, the director stepped forward. " Third and final round. Each man will shoot three times. "

There was murmur in the crowd then the director spoke again. " The man closest to the center will be our winner. "

Robin eyed the target, focusing directly on the center. He could hit nowhere else if he were going to carry out his plans. It seemed that time slowed as the director called for them nock their arrows again. They fired, all three arrows hitting the middle of the target but not the dead center.

The director called again and the results were a little better, each arrow landing closer to the goal. The crowd gasped and whispered amongst themselves. The director then called for silence. When the crowd hushed, he said, " Each man will take their last shot separately. "

" I will take the first, " Said the man to the left of Robin.

" I will shoot second, " Rothwell's man said.

" I will shoot last, " Robin said, his own voice sounding strange in his ears. It was deep and raspy, not like his normal voice at all. Rumplestiltskin really had thought of everything.

The director nodded, " Then it is set. Adam O'Dell shall shoot first. "

Adam stepped forward. He was young man with short blonde hair and green eyes. He wore a dark green outfit and black boots. He nocked his arrow, taking his time to acquire his target.

When it looked like he was hesitating, he released. The arrow flew quickly to the target, landing just shy of the center. He lowered his bow and sighed, looking at Robin, " Good luck. "

Robin watched as he walked away without wishing Rothwell's man luck. Rothwell's man then stepped forward, frowning deeply. He nocked, aimed and fired. The crowd gasped as he hit the dead center of the target.

" Gil Redcap has hit the center! " called the field captain.

Gil smirked at Robin, " You had best give up. No one can beat that shot. "

Robin regarded him with a cold glare but said nothing as he took his position on the firing line. He eyed the arrow where it stuck out of the target, almost mocking him like Gil had. He nocked his last arrow, drawing back his bow as his eyes remained fixed on the offensive object. He took a deep breath and released.

The arrow hit not only the target but split Gil's arrow completely in two, the pieces falling to the ground. The crowd was silent then erupted in cheers. Robin turned, amused by the look on Gil's face. It was one of shock and disbelief. " How... how? "

Robin smirked at him, pointed to his unhidden eye. " Because this is my good one. "

The director of shooting came to Robin, " Come with me. Rothwell wishes to meet you before he presents the arrow. "

Robin smiled, " Gladly. "

The director led him up to where Rothwell sat. He smiled, " You are a fine shot, beggar. Tell me your name. "

" It is Jock, " Robin replied, keeping his eyes fixed on Rothwell. He had his sheathed sword leaning against the side of his chair. The golden fletching of the arrow almost hidden but Robin could see it was there.

" Jock, " Rothwell repeated. He smirked, " Would you be interested in accepting a position in my guard? "

" A lame blind man such as myself? " Robin asked. " Surely there are better men. "

" But none that shoot like you, " Rothwell countered.

Robin thought it over, " This much is true. "

Rothwell rose to his feet, " Then I welcome you to my forces. "

Robin put out his hand for Rothwell to shake it but was shocked when the man pulled him into a hearty hug. He patted Robin on the back and Robin realized his chance had come. He quickly pulled out his rapier with his free hand and jammed it upward into Rothwell's heart. The man let out a surprised shout then stumbled backwards, shocked at what had just happened.

Robin grabbed the sword from where it sat with his bloody hand before putting his clean hand out to Marion. " Come, woman. I have avenged your brother. "

Marion blinked then furrowed her brow as the crowd realized what had happened, a lot of the people running while Rothwell's men advanced on the platform. Many did not make it though because of Robin's allies on the ground. " Who are you? "

" It's Robin, " He replied. " I haven't got time to explain. Just come with me. "

Marion grabbed his hand and he pulled her from the chair. He was shocked when she grabbed him and kissed him. He could feel his disguise vanish and she pulled away to truly see him. She gasped, " It IS you. "

" It is, " Robin nodded. " Let's get out of here. "

" Alright, " Marion said and fled with Robin...